AFAIK the L34 build began in July '74. The rules for racing dictated that Holden had to build 200 units before they were allowed to race. Given that the Sandown 500 in 1974 was held on 8 September & they only built 263 units, you would think that the total build time spanned July to September of that year.

Dr Terry

I have some GMH stuff on this.... the internal memo announcing it is dated August 1 1974, the L34 parts (inc High Output option) listing is dated August 1974
and
curiously a Zone Service bulletin dated 16 July 1974 advising them of the L34 option on Torana SLR models and to ignore, what is thought
ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISE. Because it is not.. and gives a number of reasons to ignore them
and
further, Norm Darwin writes that also on August 1 1974, Vic Zones Sales sent a memo to dealers ( I have a copy somewhere) advising of the model option
and the addition of an extra High Output option being available

In addition Norm is his "Torana Tough' book writes - -
3 pilot cars were run down the Dandenong VAP line on May31 1974
2 more pilot cars on June 9 and June 12
The rest started production on June 18 1974 and finished Sept 11 1974

none of that totally conclusive, just adds to the data pile on the particularly famous Holden model


HTH

Edited by user Friday, 6 December 2024 6:28:54 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I'm not sure the "on sale" really has relevance to the L34 as it wasn't really for general sale. GMH didn't want it road tested, didn't want the publicity, didn't want the general public to buy it. At one stage the direction was it was only to be sold to those with a CAMS licence.

There was a HP kit for those that wanted to race the car. Cam, oil cooler, Holley (same carb as an XY GT-HO), roller rockers and other stuff.

There was an alternative gearbox available too with 2.32:1 first gear, that always came with a 3.08 rear axle. It wasn't geared any shorter than the M21 2.78 cars except for 4th gear though. You are right though that almost all SLR5000 and SS 5.0L manual were 2.78 rear axle (A9X was 2.60 for some cars), and to have that with 14" tyres was awful tall gearing. I remember a friend of mine had a HQ tonner with alloy tray, it had a 308 and M21 with 3.08 rear axle and standard 14" tyres, it was horrible in 1st gear, and with its alloy tray it wouldn't have weighed much different to an SLR5000. So I can imagine how bad an L34 would be. At least with an A9X if you got a 3.08 rear axle car it'd be far better than the 2.60.

Looks like the L34 Torana's 200 were made or maybe 400 in total all sold so my 1975 sportscar road test book is saying that i just bought.
They say they had the Bathurst 4sp box ratios 2.32 1st and 2ed 1.65, 3rd 1.25 with the L34 engine, that's why the Test makes the L34 so pathetic
So you have a L34 Torana with crap ratio 4sp box for the street, good for Bathurst track tho ! but that box ratios and a 2.78 diff and 14in wheels will make it perform like crap ! as the test shows 0 to 100 KM/H in 8.7 and 160 KM/H in 25.2 and the SL/R5000 with M21 4SP and 2.78 diff x 13in wheels is 0 to 100 KM/H 8.0 and 160 KM/H 24.1 LSD is an option on all as is 3.08 and 3.36 ratios on the L34, But only 3.08 ratio option. So the test is with a crap open diff, so they has to pussie foot taking off or you just bag it up like a fool.

It looks like Maybe not all had the L34 Engine in them, not to mention the big solid Cam and rockers is another story option.
But it may of been just another 200 with just a L31 engine like mine had on the plate. as mine had the can opener job on the rear guards. Just seen of late a Mock L34 and the rear guard had the flares sitting out stupid proud 10mm from being flush with the panel as the rear guard was std and no can opener job performed like real L34 Torana's were in fact.

When we see the XA GT RPO 83 ? Some came with some bits but not all came with all of the bits, like 4 bolt mains blocks or 780 Holley or baffled winged sump or other things. not to mention a lot of nonsense of finding a 4 bolt mains 351 in a 1973 F100 let alone a winged sump on a F100 because a F100 sump is behind to the rear of the engine and no V8 is in any F100 in Aus until 1977 or BS about 1973 351 v8 Fairlaines with 4 blot main blocks. they only had a 2V carby on them !
Not to mention the later XE19 Aussie cast blocks well that maybe so.

Also in the book it has a HJ GTS Monaro Coupe Test and they say that the 308 option with 4sp is the crap M20 4sp and that you had to fork out $28.42 to get a M21 4SP ! Sounds like crap, i have never heard of such as a M20 ratios are total rubbish with the torque of a 308, M20 is the best box with the 253 for sure. but here are the times with the HJ with M21 4sp and 3.36 diff open. and with dual exhaust option as tested.
50kmh 3.1
70 = 4.8
90 = 7.1
110 = 11.8
130 = 15.1
150 = 20.0
400m = 16.3
1st 75km/h @ 5500
2ed 139
3rd 139
Flat out best 188KM/H at say maybe 5300rpm that would be valve bounce with a 3.36 ratio.
They also say that the HJ GTS gets dual exhaust only as an option, and say the HQ 308 GTS was dual exhaust standard.

Double post.

Edited by user Thursday, 12 December 2024 7:41:36 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified